PARLIAMENT NEWSLETTER 2015 Parliament Bi-Annual Newsletter. Issue No.1 Navigating Parliament to The Department of Legislature cre- ated history in April this year when it launched its first-ever Annual Corpo- The New Dawn rate Plan. Fijian Parliament Speaker, Honourable Dr. Jiko Luveni, whilst launching the Plan and other critical initiatives said the occasion was not only historic for the Department, but for the entire Parliament of Fiji, its cus- tomers and partners. “This is a historical occasion, an oc- casion we are proud of because it is the first time ever that the Depart- ment of Legislature has produced an Annual Corporate Plan. The Depart- ment will also for the first time launch critical initiatives that now become an integral part of the Department’s commitments.” “Our theme for today is ‘Navigat- ing Parliament to the New Dawn’. With that, I look back with much joy and pride and with the realisation that the Fijian Parliament has indeed Speaker, Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni and Secretary-General, Mrs. Viniana Namosimalua at the launch of progressed from the day people ex- the Department of Legislature’s Annual Corporate Plan and other critical initiatives. ercised their right to choose fifty (50) leaders who were sworn in as Members about strategies in the Plan to take Parlia- apart in its role of serving Mem- of Parliament,” Hon. Dr. Luveni said. ment to the people through various educa- bers of Parliament who rely on its tional and outreach programmes. This, I support to better serve the people; Hon. Dr. Luveni reminded staff to believe is a positive approach. It brings contribute value towards the realisa- to the fore the significance of having rep- • launch of a corporate uniform, tion of the Department’s vision, which resentatives of the people interacting with which is a demonstration of the is “A resilient Parliament responsive and responding to curiosities about the corporate value of teamwork and to the needs of the people and driv- role of Parliament and indeed Parliamen- uniformity driven by a common vi- en by the ideal of a better quality of tarians.” sion and goal; and life for all Fijians”. The occasion also marked the: • launch of the Parliament Discovery Hon. Speaker noted that the Plan Centre, which has historical mate- has strategies of taking Parliament to • launch of a first-ever departmental rials, photos and gifts donated to the people. “I am especially excited logo, which sets the Department the Fijian Parliament. “ A Resilient Parliament responsive to the needs of the people and driven by the ideal of a better quality of life for all Fijians” www.parliament.gov.fj DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATURE TAKING PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE Speaker to come down to the students The fourth and fifth ‘Meet the Speaker’ and teachers to inform them about the programmes were held in Suva schools - roles and functions of Parliament, how Yat Sen Secondary School and Latter Day they can participate in the process and Saints Church College. also explain her role as the Speaker. Hon. Dr. Luveni then visited Lodoni Prima- ry School and Verata Wailevu village. In all three locations, students and members of the community were happy to see the Speaker and hear her explaining clearly the objectives of the programme. “The message by Hon. Speaker was very informative. The students and teachers have really enjoyed the programme. We Parliament also launched another out- are quite fortunate that we didn’t have to reach activity in Labasa, named the ‘Par- go to Parliament to hear all these. Parlia- liament Bus’. The Manager of the Civic ment was brought to us,” Vice Principal of Education and Media Unit, Mr Vatimosi QVS, Mr. Osea Koli said. Delailovu launched the programme at Holy Family Secondary School where In Verata Wailevu, the Women’s Group he explained the functions of Parliament, president Mrs Niumai Cavuilati said: the composition, procedures and works “We were quite surprised when we were of Parliament and also discussed ways told that Hon. Speaker will visit us. This in which students can be involved in the is the first time for her to come down, as democratic process. In the evening, the Speaker, to visit our village and clearly team visited Wailevu village where the explain her role as Speaker. We only see Parliament Discovery Centre was dis- her on television and sometimes, we don’t played in the village hall and videos and understand what’s happening in Parlia- discussions were held with the villagers. Parliament’s first-ever outreach activity, ti- ment and her role. But now, we have Similar programme was held in Nadi and Lautoka. The team visited Nadi Mus- tled ‘Meet the Speaker’ programme was learnt a lot and I’m sure the women and lim College, Shri Vivekanandan College, launched in Queen Victoria School by the members of the community present are Speaker of Parliament Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni Natabua High School and Namoli vil- very grateful for this programme,” Mrs. lage respectively. in March. The programme enabled the Cavuilati added. 2 / 2015 Parliament Bi-Annual Newsletter Issue No.1 DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATURE Real Men Protect Women – PM Bainimarama setting whatsoever, let alone the family, research that assisted Governments deal which is the heart of every society and with the issue of violence. Whilst closing ought to be a place devoid of conflict. A the Forum, Hon. Dr. Luveni challenged the place of love and acceptance in which participants to implement strategies and our children can be reared and every mechanisms identified from the exchang- family member can be safe.” es made in the course of their delibera- tions. These were the words of Prime Minister Honourable Voreqe Bainimarama whilst “No doubt, we have all been over- opening the Pacific Womens’ Parliamen- whelmed and fully empowered by the tary Partnership Forum held in Suva from vast level of information disseminated in May 29th to June 1st, 2015. “Where the form of experiences shared and rec- there is a reluctance to confront the ex- ommendation made in the course of our tent of the problem, we need to force it deliberation on the subject of domestic onto our national agendas. And where violence and gender equality,” Hon. Dr. there is a lack of political will to address Luveni said. “One thing has come out family violence, those governments and clear and that is as legislators and rep- politicians must be shamed into action,” resentatives of the people, Parliamentar- the Prime Minister said. Over 30 women ians are in a privileged position to make parliamentarians from the Pacific and 21 a difference. However, this can only be from the Australian and New Zealand effective if there is meaningful, practical parliaments attended the Forum that was and results oriented engagement with hosted by the Speaker of Parliament, all stakeholders.” The Speaker thanked Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni. The focus of this PWPP for organizing the event and also “Men must be repeatedly told what I tell year’s forum was on family violence and acknowledged the Australian Govern- our menfolk in Fiji: that real men don’t hit the challenges women face in the region. ment, Australian Federal Parliament and women. Real men protect women and It was an opportunity for the delegates all the State Parliaments of Australia for treat them as equals. And women need to share their experiences and support their support. The PWPPF participants to be encouraged to stand up more for one another as women parliamentar- also took time to visit the Fijian Parlia- themselves – to keep repeating the man- ians, discussed legislation, regulations in ment where they toured the Parliament tra that violence is unacceptable in any the region, understood data and reliable Chambers and the Parliament Discovery Centre. Two new MPs sworn-in Two new Members of Parliament were sworn-in on May 11th, 2015 after the resignation of Fiji First member Hon. Dr. Neil Sharma and the passing of SODELPA MP, the late Hon. Ratu Viliame Tagivetaua. Hon. Jilila Nalibu Kumar was the new member for Fiji First and Hon. Mikaele Leawere of SODELPA for the Opposition. Issue No.1 Parliament Bi-Annual Newsletter 2015 / 3 DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATURE PICTORIAL Prayer before Parliament sitting in February Public Accounts Committee meeting with Members of the Public Accounts Committee Standing Committee on Natural Resources Agriculture officials on a site visit to the Naboro Landfill hearing submissions Members of the Standing Committee on A group of women from Nadi Women’s Coun- Speaker Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni with the New Zealand Justice, Law and Human Rights hearing a cil enjoying tea with Members of Parliament Speaker, the Rt. Hon. David Carter whilst visiting submission whilst being covered by the media at tea-break Parliament early this year. Seated below are the Secretary-General, Mrs. Viniana Namosimalua and Deputy Secretary-General, Mrs. Jeanette Emberson 4 / 2015 Parliament Bi-Annual Newsletter Issue No.1 DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATURE PICTORIAL Speaker, Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni, Moderator for Speaker, Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni meeting with the Parliament delegation with the National Session IV Common challenges regarding the Australian Governor-General, H.E. General the Assembly for Wales Presiding Officer human rights situation in Asia-Pacific Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) [Speaker] Rosemary Butler AM whilst on a study tour to the United Kingdom in January Parliament delegation in New Zealand Senator the Hon. Stephen Parry, President of the Delegation with Mr. Neil Angus MP, Member Australian Senate with Fijian Parliament Speaker, for Forest Hill in Melbourne Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni and Australia’s High Com- missioner to Fiji, H.E. Margaret Twomey Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon.